Summer Salads

Bought a new cookbook the other day, just to inspire me away from the same old dishes that I had recently fallen into the habit of preparing.

It's "fresh + fast" by Michele Cranston, A Marie Clair cookbook, and it certainly lives up to its name, you can check it out here http://www.murdochbooks.com.au/mcfreshfast.htm .

I got my copy from Big W for just over $20 and I know that it is going to supply some new family favourite recipes.

I made the Ham Salad with peach and pecans but instead of whole pecans I ground some and sprinkled them over the top.

I peeled the peaches and put them in the balsamic and olive oil dressing about an hour before the Darling got home, so the peaches are a little coloured by the balsamic, but the flavour was wow!, I also pulled the mozzarella cheese apart ahead of time, so at the last minute was able to layer the rocket, mozzarella, peaches and ham and then sprinkle the pecan meal over the top. A fast but tasty and satisfying meal for the end of a busy day.

The Apple & Crasin Salad is my own creation and the potato salad is inspired by Stephanie Alexander, using olive oil and herbs instead of a mayonnaise dressing.

APPLE CRASIN SALAD:- so fast and easy, just finely slice half a crisp apple, I used Granny smith but any other apple would be fine. Half a celery stick, finely sliced and about a Tablespoon of crasins, for a dressing I mixed a dash of apple cider vinegar into a Tablespoon of plain yoghurt, Tossed the apple,celery and crasins through the yoghurt and done.

The POTATO SALAD was peeled and steamed Kipfler potatoes, chunked and while still hot,coated with a dressing of olive oil, Thyme, Oregano and Parsley all whizzed together in the mini-processor, put into a serving bowl, covered and left to come to room temperature.

For some reason every new line is a double line so have had to type the recipes as above, otherwise this post would be so long you would fall asleep getting to the bottom.

Wednesday night we had Minted Lamb Kebabs from the butchers and a lovely Watermelon and feta Salad from 'fresh + fast',

It was so easy, just the watermelon, feta, olives, mint leaves and celery with dressing.